Risk controls take focus in National Safe Work Month
20 Oct 2025•BlueSafe Team•Source: Safe Work Australia
Safe Work Australia is focusing on controlling risks in week three of National Safe Work Month, building on the previous weeks’ focus on identifying hazards and assessing risks.
The October campaign is working through the risk management process under the theme of safety: every job, every day. This week covers putting controls in place, which Safe Work Australia describes as the process’s most important step.
Control measures should reflect how likely an identified risk is to occur and how severe its consequences could be. Employers are responsible for managing WHS risks and implementing controls, and must consult their workers as part of that work, including ensuring workers know how to operate equipment safely.
Businesses can also contact their WHS regulator for advice about meeting specific regulations in their state or territory.
Some hazards can be identified, assessed and controlled immediately. Safe Work Australia uses liquid spilled on a tiled floor as an example: where the risk of slipping, falling and possible musculoskeletal injury is already understood, a wet floor sign and prompt clean-up can be used without a full risk assessment.
The combination of controls needs to suit each organisation’s size, type and work activities, addressing risks in everyday operations as well as emergencies.
Safe Work Australia is sharing further ideas, activities and resources through its website and social media throughout National Safe Work Month.
How Blue Safe can help: Our free WHS self-check can help you review your approach to workplace safety and identify areas that may need closer attention, including risk management and worker consultation. Take the free WHS self-check